Sizing composition



United States Patent 7 ABSTRACT oF THE DISCLOSURE A sizing composition for wash and wear fabrics which requires no ironing to cause setting, consisting of an alcohol solution of a water insoluble resin:

This invention relates to a sizing composition for press or iron-free, more commonly called wash and wear fabric, and more particularly to a novel plastic sizing composition comprising an alcohol solution of a water insoluble resin which may be applied directly to dry wash and wear fabric, preferably by spray application, to stiffen the fabric, much like a starched fabric, and even more so and uniquely-without ironing.

It is common practice to size or starch fabric to impart desirable characteristics such as stiffness, body, texture, feel, and the like. With ordinary fabric, this has been customarily accomplished by the use of starch; Starch is applied to the fabric and then the fabric is pressed or ironed with a hot iron. The ironing effects an irreversible reaction of the starch molecules whereby stiffness and body is imparted to the fabric.

The starch may be applied to the fabric by one of various techniques. The most ancient technique involves simply dipping the fabric, wet or dry, into a liquid solution of starch. Then the fabric is dried and ironed.'To make up the solution of starch,-'itis necessary to boil powdered starch. This is tedious especially in the home, where only relatively minute quantities of starch are used;

A more sophisticated form of starch has appeared on the market. It is a liquid laundry starch which hasreceived wide acceptanceiNoboilin'g is necessary, and thesolution Y may be simply diluted for instant use as a dip solution. 'U.S. 3,Q56,Q36discloses such a'liquid starch composiliO IL 4 A still more sophisticated form of 'starch hasrecently a selfsprayable starch whereinhn aqueous solution of thefstarch is sprayed fro'rn' 'ania'erosol container directly onto 'dry fabricprior to. ironing to accomplish the desired ,ap'pea red'and it is receiving very wide acceptance. It is result The following patents typify this development: U.S.

Patent 3,066,037; US. Patent 3,181,961; US. Patent 3,211,563. p I

In all such use of starch, whatever its physical form or method of application, ironing is a necessary prerequisite to obtain the desired stiffness and body and to dry the fabric. With the advent of wash and wear fabric which requires no ironing, the application of starch would destroy the very desirable wash and wear feature since ironing would have to be undertaken merely to dry and set the starch. Yet, the public wants a stiffened fabric for certain articles, or portion of articles, such as shirt and blouse collars and cuffs, doilies, furniture scarves, curtains, aprons, clerical collars, and the like. 7

Notwithstanding such desire for a stiffened wash and wear fabric, the degree of stiffness, even of ordinary fabric, has been limited by the time-honored use of starch. The maximum percent solids of an aqueous starch solution is about 4%. In some instances, such as vases made of starched crocheted fabric, this is not enough for the desired degree of stiffness. It was customary in such in- Patented Dec. 30, 1969 stance to resort to other stiffeners, such as sugar solutions. But obviously, this was and still is not an optimum solution. Not only is the possibility of scorching even more pronounced than with starch, but also the stiffened fabric is more subject to changes in atmospheric humidity. Furthermore, the plaguing possibility of mildew and bacterial growth continues.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel sizing composition.

Another object is to provide a sizing composition which requires no application of heat to the sized fabric such as by pressing or ironing, to effect desired stiffness, body, texture and/ or feel. 7

Still another object is to provide a sizing composition which is not subject to scorching.

A further object is to provide a sizing composition which is particularly useful for iron-free (so called wash and wear) fabric.

A still further object is to provide a sizing composition which may be used as a self-propelling composition.

Another object is to provide a sizing composition which is non-aqueous and fast drying.

Another object is to provide a sizing composition, which is readily washable from the fabric after soiling and thereby avoid build-up.

Another object is to provide a sizing composition which can impart a greater degree of stiffness to fabric, whether ordinary or wash and wear fabric, than possible with starch.

Another object is to provide a sizing composition, which though readily washable, is substantially non-hygroscopic, whereby it is relatively inert to changes in atmospheric humidity so that there are no noticeable changes in the effect it produces in the fabric.

Another object is to provide a sizing composition which is crystal clear and will not deteriorate in color with age.

Another object is to provide a sizing composition for fabric which does not yellow with age.

Another object is to provide a sizing composition which is not subject to mildew or bacterial growth.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

It has now been found, in accordance with the objects enumerated above, that when a composition comprising a substantially water-insoluble, anhydrous alcohol-soluble resin (a vinyl-carboxylictype polymer soluble in anhydrous alcohol), such as a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidine, an ester selected from the class consisting of the straight and branched chain lower alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, and a short chain unsaturated acid, such as acrylic acid; dissolved in an organic solvent such as an alcohol, specifically methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and primary, secondary, or tertiary butanol, is applied to wash and Wear fabric, it dries rapidly and acts, Without the application of heat, as a sizing composition therefor to impart stiffness, body, texture and/ or feel. In every case the film produced should be tack-free and insoluble in water at room temperature, but removable with an alkaline wash, such as detergent or soap.

More particularly, it has been discovered that an alcoholic solution of a substantially water-insoluble anhydrous alcohol soluble resin of a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidine, an ester selected from the class consisting of the straight and branched chain lower alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, and a short chain unsaturated acid such as acrylic acid will, when applied to Wash and wear fabric, preferably by spray application, dry rapidly and act as a sizing for said fabric. No pressing or ironing of ,the fabric to set the resin is needed. During its life on the fabric, the resin does not detract from the appearance of the fabric since it is crystal clear. If anything, it imparts a desirable 'chloromonofluoromethane,

sheen. It is not affected by a change in humidity. And.

yet, the resin is sufficiently soluble in soap or detergent wash liquid to be washed out of the fabric during laundering.

The invention accordingly comprises a composition of matter possessing the characteristics, properties, and the relation of components, and the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others thereof, which will be exemplified in. the composition and process hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

The invention is more aptly described by reference to specific examples which illustrate the invention in detail.

Example I Ten parts by weight of a terpolymer consisting of 499 parts of N-vinyl pyrrolidine, 61 parts methacrylic acid and 218 parts of ethyl methacrylate (VEM Resin by G. Barr Company, Division of Pittsburgh Railways, Inc., Chicago, 111.), is admixed with 89.8 parts of ethyl alcohol, 0.1 part of fluorescent dye such as Tinopal SFG, and 0.1 part perfume oil.

Thirty-five parts of the above alcoholic concentrate are admixed with 65 parts of a propellant, specifically a 65/35 mixture of trichloromonofluoromethane and dichlorodifluoromethane. The resultant mixture is used to fill containers of the self-pressurized type (aerosol cans).

The collar and cuffs of a Dacron-cotton blend shirt of the wrinkle-free type are sprayed with the pressurized resin solution. No pressing or ironing is performed. Indeed, there is almost instant drying of the sprayed solution as the alcohol and propellant evaporates.

The finished shirt has an appearance similar to a fully laundered cotton shirt with starched collar and cuffs. When subjected to accelerated daylight testing, no yellowing of the resin is noted. Under humid bacteria-prone conditions, no mildew or bacterial growth is noted. Its hand feel is most desirable. The resin film being insoluble in water does not become tacky at high humidities. There is no water pick-up like there is with starch with resultant limpness in the fabric.

Example 11 In this example, 6 parts by weight of VEM terpolymer, such as in Example I, are admixed with 84.7 parts of SDA anhydrous alcohol, 0.2 part polyglycol plasticizer, such as UCONSO HB660 by Union Carbide Corp., New York, N.Y., .05 part of the Tinopal SFG fluorescent dye and .05 part of perfume oil.

The above alcoholic concentrate (30 parts) is then admixed with 70 parts propellant comprising a 65 tri- 35 dichlorodifluoromethane mixture and packaged in an aerosol container for sale to the household consumer.

In formulating the sizing composition of this invention, 1 to 20% and preferably 10% of the water-insoluble, anhydrous alcohol soluble resin of a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidine, an ester selected from the class consisting of the straight and branched chain lower alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, and a short chain unsaturated acid, such as acrylic acid is used. Occasionally incorporation of a plasticizer such as a polyglycol is desirable to soften the film that will be effected.

The resin is dissolved in an alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, or primary, secondary and tertiary butanol and mixtures thereof. About 80% to 99% alcohol is used in the composition.

It is also desirable to incorporate a fluorescent dye and perfume for the sake of improved appearance and odor making the composition more commercially saleable. The fluorescent dye may comprise the typical trade-named dyes such as Tinopal by Geigy Chemical Corp., Ardsley, N.Y., or Uvanal by General Aniline and Film Corp., New York, N.Y. Any compatible perfume of desired odor may be used,- Usually .05 to .5 of each is used and the preferred amountis 0.1%. A flame retarder, such,as a chlorinated parafiin or an organic ester phosphate may also be added in' an amountfrom 0.1 to 5%.

The above sizing composition may be applied in the traditional way, i.e., dip application, but it is more desirable to apply it via spray application and preferably from a self-pressurized container which adds much convenience for the consumer. In such instance, the sizing composition 10 to 50 parts and preferably 35 parts is admixed with 90 to 50 parts and preferably 65 parts of a liquid or gaseous propellant such as a fluorocarbon (trichloroinonofluoromethane-CCl F, dichlorodifluoromethane-CCl F dichlorotetrafluoroethane CClF CClF monochlorodifiuoromethane-CHCIF octafluorocyclobutane-C F 'trichlorotrifluoroethane CCl F CClF hydrocarbon (propane, butane, isobutane), nitrogen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and the like. The preferred propellant is-a mixture comprising to 20 parts CCI F and 20 to 80 parts CCl F, the preferred mixture being '35 parts CCl F and 65partsCCl F.' p w It will thus be seen that the objects. set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efliciently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the above composition of matter and in carrying out the above method without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not "in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is: I v

1. A sizing composition for fabric comprising an alcoholic solution of a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidine,- an ester selected from the class consisting of the straight and branched chain lower alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, and a short chain unsaturated acid; said terpolymer being water insoluble and anhydrous alcohol soluble, and water.- soluble upon alkalization.

2. The sizing composition of claim ,1 containing, in addition, a fluorescent dye and a perfume.

3. The sizing composition of claim 1 containing, in addition, a propellant whereby spray application to the fabric may be had.

4. The sizing composition of claim 3 wherein said resin comprises 1 to 20% resin and said propellant comprises a fluorocarbon propellant.

5. The sizing composition of claim 4 wherein said sizingcomposition comprises 10 to 50 parts by weight and said fluorocarbon propellant comprises to 50 parts by weight of the resultant self-propelling composition.

6. The sizing composition of claim 5 wherein said composition is packaged in a pressurized container with a valve for dispensing the composition in spray form.

7. The sizing composition of claim 1, wherein said resin comprises 1 to 20%. of the sizing composition and wherein said composition contains, in addition a fluorocarbon propellant, said sizing composition comprising 10 to 50 parts by weight and said fluorocarbon propellant comprises 90 to 50 parts by weight of the resultant selfpropelling composition, said composition being packaged in a pressurized container with a valve for dispensing the composition in spray form into said fabric. 5

8. A method for sizing fabric comprising the application of a sizing composition comprising an alcoholic solution of a resin selected from the group consisting of a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidine, an ester selected from the class consisting of the straight and branched chain lower alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, and a short chain unsaturated acid; a poly(methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride) half ester and alginic acid. 5

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said application is performed by self-pressurization of the sizing composition 5 6 through the admixture of said sizing composition with a 2,957,838 10/ 1960 Mills 26033.4 propellant. 3,070,561 12/ 1962 Hager.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the composition in 3,177,119 4/ 1965 Zoebelein 26033.4 admixture with propellant comprises 10 to 50 parts by 3,208,963 9/1965 Iasinski. weight sizing composition and 90 to 50 parts by weight 5 3,322,714 5/1967 Martin 260-334 propellant.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said composition FOREIGN PATENTS in admixture with propellant is packaged in a pressurized 863,379 3/1961 Great Britain container and application is accomplished through a p y valve- 10 ALLAN LIEBERMAN, Primary Examiner References Cted L. T. JACOBS, Assistant Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,702,796 2/1955 Fine 26033.4 2,766,157 10/1956 Peterson. 15 117 139 5; 2 0.333, 41

2,909,447 10/1959 Scott. 

